JAKARTA: Indonesia has rejected an Apple $100 million investment proposal aimed at lifting a ban on iPhone 16 sales, saying it lacks the "fairness" required by the government. Following the ban, Apple offered to increase its investments in Indonesia by $100 million to allow the new phone to be sold domestically. "Currently, Apple still has not invested in production facilities or factories in Indonesia," he said in a statement released late Monday. Despite the sales ban, the Indonesian government still allows iPhone 16 to be carried into Indonesia if they are not being traded commercially. Indonesia also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the 40 percent parts requirement.

Elephant tusksTwo suspected traffickers were arrested and elephant tusks weighing 15.7 kilogrammes recovered from them in a lodging they had booked in Kapenguria, West Pokot County. The cargo was sealed in a black bag, police and Kenya Wildlife Service officials said of the November 24 incident. Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks, especially from Africa. Officials say despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African elephants are still being poached in large numbers. On April 30, 2016, Kenya set ablaze 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn.

Bryce Hall's love life has been a whirlwind, marked by high-profile relationships and public scrutiny. But who is Bryce Hall's girlfriend? Bryce Hall at the world premiere of "Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse" at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Bryce Hall's relationship with Mikaela Lafuente marks a new chapter for him after several high-profile relationships in the past. Bryce Hall's fast factsIs Bryce Hall a boxer?

Editor's Review "In my region, we don't have stable electricity, the transmission lines are dead." Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi has expressed dissatisfaction with President William Ruto's decision to cancel Adani Group's deal with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO). "In my region, we don't have stable electricity, the transmission lines are dead and now that we had these Adani people come to fix this problem, there was no need for the President to cancel, especially this for electricity transmission." Additionally, the Legislator referenced the Nairobi Expressway which initially faced opposition from Kenyans who are currently enjoying its services. The president explained that the new orders were informed by new information regarding the integrity of the Indian company.

Some of the youth display recruitment forms issued to them in the latest scam in EldoretThree people have been arrested in connection to an alleged fake recruitment programme in Eldoret. The three were arrested after they ferried tens of youth from rural areas of Uasin Gishu to Eldoret City promising to recruit them for lucrative foreign jobs in Dubai. An alert was made to us and we immediately sent in our officers who arrested the four people,” said Muleli. The DCI boss said those arrested claimed to be linked to a registered recruitment agency which is licensed by the National Employment Agency (NEA) to operate in Nairobi but not Eldoret. The recruitment forms issued to the youth were partly written in Chinese language and alleged to be from a Chinese company.

State officials led by CS Salim Mvurya (fourth left) during inauguration of a technical committee on boosting mango industryThe Government in collaboration with Coca-Cola has embarked on plans to elevate the country’s mango business supply chain. Salim Mvurya has since inaugurated a technical committee on establishing a sustainable mango supply chain industry. “This partnership between Kenya and Coca-Cola is a significant opportunity that must be seized. The Coca-Cola team expressed strong confidence in the potential of supply the chain. The technical committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to develop a sustainable and profitable mango supply chain early February next year.

Corridors of PowerA TOP GUN at a regulatory agency is a man under watch after he demanded a bribe to do his work. The official is said to be sitting on approvals sought by some of the clients the entity serves, while hoping the applicants will ‘behave’. Recently, he held a big meeting in his rural home, where he urged the attendees to support the county administration. His new brand of politics has amused residents, given the two never saw eye to eye prior to the 2022 polls. ********A HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL of a political outfit is under discussion for never missing a chance to embarrass his bosses.

President William Ruto speaking during the launch of Silicon Valley Park at UoN on November 25, 2024/PCSIn a move that underscores Kenya's ambition to lead the digital revolution, President William Ruto has launched the University of Nairobi's Silicon Savannah Innovation Park. The park, a part of the larger Silicon Savannah initiative, is designed to be a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. He emphasised the role of the Silicon Savannah Innovation Park in creating new pathways to innovation and economic growth, saying it would serve as a catalyst for job creation and entrepreneurship in emerging industries. Looking to the future, Ruto encouraged Kenya’s youth to take full advantage of the opportunities the park offers. "The Silicon Savannah Innovation Park is your platform to define the future of Kenya’s digital economy," he said, reassuring the younger generation that the government is committed to creating the conditions necessary for their success

The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), a state corporation under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013, has announced multiple job openings for qualified drivers. Source: Getty ImagesThe institute, headquartered in Naivasha, is seeking to recruit experienced individuals to join its team and contribute to its mission of advancing wildlife research and conservation in Kenya. Job vacancies at Laikipia countyIn other news, the Laikipia County Public Service Board has announced over 350 job vacancies in various departments. The job openings include a range of positions, such as chief officers, directors, accountants, supply chain managers, and various technical and support roles. Salaries for these positions vary widely, with entry-level roles offering KSh 19,950–22,980, mid-level positions offering KSh 22,270–42,690, and senior roles earning between KSh 39,700 and KSh 203,010 per month.

Just two years ago, when it was ascending to power, Kenya Kwanza benefited from support of religious groups, including the Catholic Church. This has, however, changed with the faith-based organisations, led by Catholic bishops, launching sustained and coordinated attacks against the government. The Catholic, Anglican Church of Kenya, Akorino, Presbyterian, National Council of Churches of Kenya and Evangelical Formations of Kenya recently took the lead in pointing out ills in Ruto’s administration. Taking the cue, Anglican Church of Kenya also voiced support for the Catholic bishops. Calling church leaders names or dismissing the bishops’ statement as misleading, erroneous and false, is itself dishonest,” Jackson Ole Sapit said.

Alarming Increase Of Femicide Revealed By UN Report Over 51,000 women and girls were killed last year, predominantly by partners or family members, highlighting the global femicide crisis. This chilling statistic revealed by the United Nations’ 2023 Femicide Report, released on November 25, highlights the alarming rates of intimate partner and family-related femicides worldwide. The report allows policymakers and organizations worldwide to see the depth of this crisis, particularly among regions with the highest femicide rates. Africa stands at the forefront of this alarming trend, bearing the highest rate of intimate partner and family-related femicides with over 21,700 women killed last year. The 2023 Femicide Report serves as both a wake-up call and guiding light for collective action against violence directed at women across the globe.

The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to peaceful assembly in protest. However, despite these guarantees, laws regarding the right to protest undermine the human rights enshrined in the Constitution and go against Kenya’s international human rights duties, including the Public Order Act and the Penal Code. The right to protest is guaranteed under Article 37 of our Constitution. Regrettably, 12 years after the promulgation of the Bill of Rights, it is disappointing that the right is still treated as a privilege. The government should never silence its critics because the right to protest is not a government privilege but it is a basic Kenyan right.

Kenya has been ranked 46 out of 54 countries in the Africa Visa Openness Index 2024, highlighting its limited visa-free access to other African nations. Rwanda, Benin, Seychelles, and Gambia tied for first place, each achieving a perfect score of 1.0 by allowing visa-free access to all African nationals. Although member states of the East African Community (EAC) are exempted, other African travellers now face a Sh4,000 fee and additional application processes before visiting Kenya. Ethiopia, for example, climbed from 46th to 19th position in just eight years, achieving a score of 0.732. Somalia and Tanzania improved their rankings after easing visa access to countries like Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, however, raised concerns that those who criticised the deals had not offered alternatives. He said most MPs supported the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and argued that if Adani had failed, the government should look for other investors. “For those of us who were against Adani, let us give alternatives for improving our airport. He noted that the Bill had been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the Senate, which made amendments that were later contested by the National Assembly, leading to the formation of a mediation committee.

Suen Hui and her school principal Chong Fook Yu holding the Gold Finalist certificate she received for her Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 entry. The Form One student at Penang Chinese Girls’ High School wrote about how sea creatures complained about ongoing pollution. Suen Hui’s work titled “A Bubbling Talk By The Beach” earned her a Gold Finalist award in the junior category of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2024. Suen Hui said her essay was light-hearted but carried a serious message about sea pollution. “My fondness for reading helped me acquire a rich vocabulary, which enables me to express myself through my short stories,” said Suen Hui.